Machrihanish
Location:
Situated on the Kintyre Peninsula, 140 miles by road from Glasgow and easily accessible by Air service from Glasgow or seasonal ferry from Ballycastle on Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast.
The Golf:
Occupying a position of glorious isolation on the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, Machrihanish Golf Club, although hard to reach is nonetheless sought out more and more every year. The small village of Machrihanish itself is situated on the western side of the remote Kintyre Peninsula. The sky here seems endless, the sunsets are dramatic and the air is warmed by the Gulf Stream. The village enjoys superb views of the Atlantic Ocean with the Mull of Kintyre, Northern Ireland, Gigha, Islay and Jura all in the background.
The journey to this lovely part of the world has never been easy but the appeal was so strong many golfers including Old Tom Morris constantly made the trip. Well known for his descriptive comments, Tom said of Machrhanish, that "Providence assuredly designed this part of the country as a special earthly Paradise”
It is unclear as to who laid out the original course with Mother Nature playing a large part, but the Old Master left his mark during the year of 1879. Not a particularly long course, Machrihanish must be one of the most natural, romantic and enjoyable places to play golf in Britain. It has an outstanding front nine and a thrilling start. The first, called “Battery”, is regularly voted as one of the best opening holes in golf and it is featured in the book the 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes. The great Jack Nicklaus rates it as the World's greatest opening hole. A tantalising 423-yard par four with an elevated tee on the edge of the shore, the fairway hugs the beach and the drive must be directed diagonally across it. A tough first shot of the day. The good news is that the beach is in play! The bad news is that that instead of nice friendly sand to cushion your shot you will be faced with the rather more testing sea shell one!
The entire course is a magical experience. The greens are excellent and the holes have imaginative and testing positions. Some nestle in sunken punchbowls whilst others are on raised plateaux or flattened dunes. There are blind tee shots, stunning sea views, undulating fairways and rugged dunes. It is probably true that the course loses some impetus in the second nine but it is still an extremely pleasant route home.
Unless you own a helicopter there is no easy way of getting here, but be assured the effort will be worthwhile as more and more golfers are finding that out every year.
Address: Machrihanish, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6PT:
Tel: 44 (0) 1586 810213
Course: 18 holes,62228 yards,Par 70 (SSS 71)
Visitor Policy: Any time,
tee time reservations to be made with the Pro,
Green Fees: Sunday to Friday - £35, £55 per day. Saturdays - £45, £70 per day
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